The announcement paves the way for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to record a potentially explosivetelevision interview with Oprah Winfrey,which is due to air early next month but may be delayed should Prince Philip’s recentadmission to hospital become more serious.
American television network CBS has said the sit-down with Meghan will cover “everything from stepping into life as a royal,marriage,motherhood and philanthropic work to how she is handling life under intense public pressure”.
Harry and Meghan announced their effective resignation from the royal family in January 2020 but left on the understanding they may eventually return to the United Kingdom after 12 months in California.
However,in a statement released on Friday,Buckingham Palace said the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had now told the Queen they would “not be returning as working members of the royal family”.
“Following conversations with the Duke,the Queen has written confirming that in stepping away ... it is not possible to continue with the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service,” the palace said.
“The honorary military appointments and royal patronages held by the Duke and Duchess will therefore be returned to Her Majesty,before being redistributed among working members of the royal family.